Lines Written in the Early Spring: UNIT-3-Poem

1. Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas.

a. connected together - Link

b. spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner - Trailed

c. make out or understand - Measure

d. slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees - Twigs

2. Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with the words given below.

The speaker says that while sitting in a (1) grove, his mind is filled with both (2) pleasant and sad
thoughts. He could associate himself with (3) sorrowful. But he feels (4) creations at the fact that
human beings are exploiting Nature. The atmosphere around is (5) savour and pleasant with flowers
in the sweet (6) ecstacy. The air is (7) pervading and everything seems to be happy. When Nature
desires such (8) suffering, it is only the irresponsible act of human beings that brings
(9) abundance to other human beings and to Nature.

3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) And ‘tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes…

a. What is the poet’s faith?

The poet’s faith is that the beautiful flowers enjoy every ounce of the air they breathe.

b. What trait of Nature do we see here?

We see the beautiful work of nature through this poem.

(ii) And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there…

a. What did the poet notice about the twigs?

The poet noticed that the twigs expand to catch the breezy air.

b. What was the poet’s thought about then?

The poet thinks that the twigs or the new born branches enjoy the breeze and there is pleasure
hidden there.
(iii) If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan.

a. What does ‘heaven’ refer to?

Heaven refers to the place of God.

b. Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?

Nature is God’s work from heaven. So the poet calls it ‘holy’.

4. Explain the following lines with reference to the context in about four to five sentences each.

i. In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.

Explanation : The poet sits reclined in a beautiful grove, surrounded by the mixed sounds of nature.
He thinks of the sad thoughts brought along with the pleasant memories.

Comment : He describes the bitterest sweet moment that reminds him of the humans ’ miseries.

ii. The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,

Their thoughts I cannot measure.

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.

Explanation : The poet describes the joy of birds here. They sang, hopped and played around the
poet. Though the poet doesn’t understand the language and ways of the birds, he recognizes their
movements are out of sheer pleasure and joy.

Comment : William Wordsworth praises the beauty of nature.

iii. Have I not reason to lament

What Man has made of Man?

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.
Explanation : These are the concluding lines of the poem. Nature is full of beauties and sweetness
and calmness. But men do not enjoy the beauty, but destroy nature. Men also fight against one
another and all become unhappy.

Comment : The poet becomes sad to think of what man has made of man.

5. A. Read the following sets of lines and identify the figures of speech used in each extract.

1. To her works did Nature link - Personification

2. The human soul that through me ran…

3. And ‘tis my faith that every flower… - Personification

4. What Man has made of Man? -Aphorism

B. Read the poem once again. Identify the rhyme scheme and pick out the rhyming pairs of words.

Stanza No : Rhyming Scheme : Rhyming words

Stanza 1 : abab : notes - thoughts; , reclined – mind

Stanza 2 : abab : link - think; , ran - man

Stanza 3 : abab : bower - flower; , wreaths - breathes

Stanza 4 : abab : play’d - made ; , measure - pleasure

Stanza 5 : abab : fan - can; , air - there

Stanza 6 : abab : sent - lament; , plan - man

6. Based on your reading of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two each.

a. How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?

The poet feels sad thoughts while enjoying the beauty of Nature.

b Does Nature affect a person’s thoughts and feelings? Explain.

Yes, the soul of every human is connected to Nature. Hence Nature affects a person’s thoughts and
feelings.

c. How do people bring grief and sorrow to one another?

People separate themselves from Nature. Thus they bring grief and sorrow to one another.
d. Why does the poet think that the birds were happy?

The poet sees that the birds hop and play. Hence he thinks that the birds were happy.

e. The poet finds joy in various objects of Nature. Explain.

On seeing the twigs the poet finds that they enjoy the breezy air. He thinks that there is pleasure in
realizing Nature.

f. Bring out the poet’s thoughts, while comparing Nature with human behaviour.

It is realized by the poet that the nature is a beautiful holy plan of God. Nature is linked to all the
souls of human beings. But men have separated themselves from Nature. They have failed to realize
the pleasure of Nature.

7. Complete the following sentences by choosing the best options.

a. The poet experiences sadness because he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature.

i. the blended notes are jarring

ii. Nature is filled with negativity

iii. he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature

iv. natural calamities occur frequently

b. The poem is set in a grove.

i) city ii) village

iii) grove iv) park

c. The poem speaks of Man’s fear of Nature.

i. Man’s plan to shape destiny

ii. Man seeking pleasure and riches

iii. Man indulging in wars and acts of destruction

iv. Man’s fear of Nature

8. Answer in a paragraph of about 100−150 words.

Do you think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because he has lost his link with nature
and forgotten how to enjoy nature or because man is cruel to other men?

I think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because man is cruel to other men. The poet feels
sad about the relationship between man and man. Nature is linked to all the souls of human beings.
The poet feels sad thoughts while enjoying the beauty of nature. Nature is a beautiful Holy plan of
God. But men have separated themselves from Nature. So they have failed to realize the pleasure of
Nature. Men do not enjoy the beauty. They destroy the Nature. Men also fight against one another
and all become unhappy. But the poet feels sad to think of ‘what man has made of man’. Nature is
very significant. It gives us oxygen and keep the air cool. So we must save Nature. Man is cruel on
buying plots, cutting the trees and building houses. So we can save Nature and protect our
environment. Man is always busy in worldly business. So there is no sufficient time to enjoy the
Nature.

Some phrases have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing
words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.

To Autumn

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my Shady roof, there thou may’st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my Fresh pipe;

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

“The narrow bud opens her beauties to

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;

Blossoms hang round the brows of morning, and

Flourish down the bright check of modest eve,

Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,

And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.

The spirits of the air live on the smells

Of fruit; and joy, with pinions light, roves round

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.”

Thus sang the jolly autumn as he sat,

Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.
- William Blake

10. Speaking Activity

a. What scene in nature gives you pleasure? Talk for a minute describing a natural scene that
gave you a lot of joy. What did you see, hear, smell or feel that gave you joy?

Hi, I am Rajesh. I share with you my happiness of enjoying the natural scenes in my village. Every
morning I get up around 5’o clock and enjoy the chirping of tens of birds. Then my friends and 1 go to
a lake nearby and swim and chase one another in a happy mood.

There are a few small mountains and when the sun rises above them we are thrilled to bathe in sun
light. At nights we leave our village and go to the fields and play kabadi in moon light. The grazing
cattle is a beautiful sight. Thus I feel Nature and human life are strongly linked.

b. Work in groups of 4−6. Discuss how you would preserve the environment and protect
Nature. One or two representatives may share their ideas with the class.

Representative l

Trees are very important. They give us oxygen and keep the air cool. So, we must avoid cutting trees.
Most people buy plots, cut the trees and build houses. Multistoreyed flats are, better than individual
houses, because we save trees.

Representative 2

Rain water harvesting is a new concept (idea).The government is encouraging the project. Every
family should find out the methods of rain water harvesting and follow the methods. Thus we can
save water and protect our environment.

11. Answer the following in a paragraph of 100−150 words each.

a. ‘Nature can nurture’. Describe how this process happens.

Man is a part of Nature. We cannot live without oxygen, and the natural atmosphere gives us oxygen.
Trees and plants absorb carbon-di-oxide and give back oxygen. Water is the absolute necessity for us
- - - for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. We get plenty of water from rains. Rivers and lakes
get the rain water and we use it. The sun is the life-giver and light-giver of the world. There can be no
life on the earth without the sunlight. Animals, birds, plants and trees are all parts of Nature. We get
food from plants & trees in the form of vegetables and fruits. Certain birds and animals are killed,
cooked and eaten by us. Therefore in several ways Nature can nurture us. Moreover natural scenes
give us happiness enjoyment.
b. When humanity fails to live in harmony with Nature, its effects are felt around the world. Why
and how?

We should live in harmony with Nature, but we do not. One example is we cut trees and destroy
forests to build houses or roads. Forests bring us rain. So when forests are destroyed rainfall is
affected.

Another thing: Water, in its natural form, is clean. But we pollute water by bathing in the rivers and
lakes. In many villages people bathe their cattle in the river or lake. This causes water pollution.

Air pollution is another problem. A lot of factories furnaces and automobiles produce harmful smoke
and pollute the air. As a result of all these activities, We experience heavy rains in some places and
very little rain in other places.

As we do not live in harmony with nature we have to suffer hardships.

c. Write a letter to the Councillor of your Ward, explaining why a park is necessary in your locality.

5th July 2018

From

XXX,

YYY, ZZZ.

To

The Councillor,

WardNo.98,

Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

Sir / Madam,

Sub: Requisition for a park - Reg.

I, XXX, as a resident of ward 98, hereby write to you on behalf of the residents of ward no.98, The
intention of this letter is to request you to set up a park in our locality. Nowadays parks are
everywhere and in almost all the localities. Parks have become indispensable necessities. Pollution
and other threatening environment measures have contributed to the deterioration of human
health. The old people of our ward have no place to sit comfortably and peacefully and the young
children have no place to play happily. Besides, the construction of the park will be environmentally
wholesome for the people of our locality. It will make the whole locality beautiful. The trees and
plants will make the whole locality free from pollution.

Therefore I request you to construct a park in our area. We shall be grateful to you if you kindly do
the needful.

I thank you,

Yours truly,

XXX.
Title : The First Patient .

Author : Christopher Victor Burgess

Genre : An amusing play

Theme : Thrilling Humour.

Introduction

“The first patient” is an amusing play, written by C.V. Burgess. It reveals the humourous situation in a
dentist’s clinic.

Dentist’s Clinic

A few patients are sitting in the waiting room of a dentist’s clinic and two or three are joining. Among
them one lady is interested in showing her holiday photos to other patients.

The first patient

The dentist arrives and calls Joe the first patient into his room. The nurse comes out, goes into
another room and brings a hammer. The patients hear the noise of hammering from the room.

Disappearing patients

The patients hear the noise of sawing. The loud sound of sawing and screeching from inside the
room makes everyone leave the waiting room. Joe’s wife is scared and she begins to weep. The other
patients are all terrified and go out in hurry.

In search of key

But Joe comes out and tells his wife that the doctor has missed the key to his tools cabin and he has
been trying to open the cabin with the hammer, pliers and hacksaw. The woman with the
photographs is surprised to see that the queue had moved quickly and she is the next patient to go
in. Thus the play is full of humour.

Conclusion

The dentist has lost the key to his tool cabinet. So he. uses the hammer, pliers and a hacksaw to open
his tools cabinet. But everyone imagines that he is using these tools to pull out the teeth.

1. Complete the summary of the play, choosing the appropriate words from the list given below
the passage.

A number of patients wait at the (1) Waiting room of a dentist’s clinic. Everybody is tensed at the
thought of a painful (2) tooth being extracted. One of the women is bent on showing everyone her
(3) photographs. After the arrival of the dentist, Joe, the first (4) patient is called in. Sometime later,
the nurse comes out and goes in with a (5) hammer. Everyone is (6) frightened at this, imagining Joe
being subjected to a lot of hammering in the process of his tooth being pulled out. Once again the
nurse comes out to fetch a large pair of (7) pliers and later on she takes in a (8) hacksaw. A little boy
confesses that he pretended to have (9) toothache, because he did not wish to go to school. The
loud (10) sawing and screeching from within the room makes everyone leave the (11) clinic, one by
one. Finally there are only two women in the waiting room, one of them being Joe’s wife. She weeps
(12) worried about her husband. But Joe comes out and explains that he had shifted his
(13) appointment to the evening and had been given some pills for the pain. After they leave, the
dentist comes out and locates the key of his tool (14) cabinet. He had been trying to open it using
the hammer, the pliers and the hacksaw only in vain. The woman with the photographs is surprised
to see that the (15) queue had moved quickly and she was the next patient to go in.

2. Based on your understanding of the play, complete the Graphic Organiser (GO) suitably.
Setting : When the curtain rises, the following characters are seated in a dentist’s waiting room.

Women 1 - 8 and Men 1-8. Some of them are reading magazines or newspapers. Man 4 has a
bandage tied round his jaw. He is holding the bandage and groaning. Man 3 and woman 5 and 6 are
just entering the waiting room.

Characters : Men 1 - 8, women 1 - 8, dentist, Nurse, Little girl and small boy.

Title : The First Patient

Author : Christopher Victor Burgess

Climax : The patients get worried and shocked about the hammering and sawing sound and decide
to leave the waiting room of a dentist. They think that the dentist is using such tools to pull out the
tooth of Joe. After they leave, Joe comes out and tells his wife that the dentist uses all those tools to
open his tool cabinet, as he has lost the keys.

Humorous Elements: An amusing play with unexpected turn of events along with wild imagination.

3. Based on your understanding of the play, answer the following questions in about three or four
sentences each.

a. Who were the patients waiting for?

The patients were waiting for the dentist.

b. How did Woman 5 spend her time in the waiting hall?

The woman-5 spent her time in the waiting hall by showing her holiday photographs to woman-6.

c. How did the other Women react to Woman 5?

The other women showed interest in looking at the photographs of woman - 5.

d. Are children afraid of visiting the dentist? Give reasons.

No, the children are not afraid of visiting the dentist: The children did not know anything about the
pulling of teeth. Hence they are not afraid.

e. What were the strange instruments the nurse carried to the surgery? How did the waiting
patients interpret her act?

Hammer, a large pair of pliers and a hacksaw were the strange instruments the nurse carried to the
surgery. The patients who were waiting were frightened on seeing these instruments.

f. Bring out the people’s reaction to the noises from the surgery.

The loud sawing and screeching from inside the room makes everyone frightened and worried.

g. Why did they sympathize with the first patient?

They imagine that Joe is being subjected to a lot of hammering in the process of his tooth being
pulled out. So they sympathized with the first patient.

h. Why did Woman 1 panic more than the others?

Joe, the husband of woman 1 is being subjected to a lot of hammering. So Woman -1 panicked more
than the others.

i. Woman 5 was not aware of what was happening. Why?

Woman-5 was only concentrating on showing her holiday photographs. So she was not aware of
what was happening.

j. How did Woman 5 move ahead in the waiting list of patients?

Woman 5 moved ahead in the waiting list of patients as all the other patients had left the waiting
room of the dentist.

k. Why do patients leave the clinic without meeting the dentist?

The loud sound of sawing and screeching from inside the room makes everyone leave the waiting
room.

l. What had really happened in the dentist’s room?

The dentist had lost the key to his tool cabinet. So he used the hammer, pliers and a hacksaw to open
his tool cabinet. This made everyone imagine that he was using these tools to pull out the teeth.

Vocabulary

4. The play starts with the following dialogue.

Woman 5: We’ll have some time to wait before the dentist sees us, dear.

Here, the italicized word dentist refers to a person whose job is treating people’s dental problems.
Often the words ending with the suffix ‘ist’ denote a person who practises, is an expert in, or holds
certain principles.

Now, read the descriptions given under Column A and match them with their correct (-ist words)
describing specialists in the various fields of medicine given under column B.
1. one who specializes in lung problems : Pulmonologist

2. one who specializes in skin problems : Dermatologist

3. one who treats diseases specific to women : Gynaecologist

4. one who treats kidney diseases : Nephrologist

5. one who treats diseases and disorders of the nervous system : Neurologist

6. one who treats stomach disorders : Gastroenterologist

7. one who treats vision problems : Ophthalmologist

8. one who specializes in critical infants : Neonatologist

9. one who treats heart problems : Cardiologist

10. one who treats the problems of ear, nose, tongue : Otolaryngologist
Listening

Read the following statements. Now, listen to the talk on the importance of humour and laughter for
good physical and mental health. You may listen to the text again if required, to help you choose the
correct option.

i) Humour has the power to motivate and reduce stress and pain.

a) improve b)intensify

c) reduce d) increase

ii) It seems generally accepted that our bodies respond in a positive way to a hearty laugh.

a) accepted b) denied

c) improved d) confused

iii) The humour room is stocked with books, comics, funny posters, audiotapes, and videos.

a) waiting room b) humour room

c) ICU d) reception

iv) One can plan to use humour yet rely on spontaneous opportunities to employ it.

a) late b) better

c) future d) spontaneous

v) Humour is called a way of living, not a part of living.

a) living b) playing

c) nourishing d) developing

Speaking

Complete the following dialogue between a doctor and a patient with ten sets of utterances for the
following situation in which a person goes to a doctor for treatment. The doctor wishes to give him/
her an injection. The person is scared. The doctor convinces the patient and administers the
injection. Now, in pairs, enact the dialogue in the classroom.

Patient: Good morning, doctor! May I come in?

Doctor: Very good morning. Please come in and sit down.

Patient: Doctor. I have been suffering from fever since last evening.

Doctor: Let me. Test your temperature. Oh! It is 102 Patient: Is it very serious doctor? Will 1 Survive
the fever?

Doctor: (Laughing) What a question to ask? Don’t worry, you’ll survive.

Patient: Thank you. You’re giving me life, doctor!

Doctor: All right. I’ll prescribe tablets and a tonic.

Patient: Thank you. I’m happy there is no injection.

Doctor: I didn’t say “No injection”. I must give an injection.

Patient: (Surprised) Doctor, I am afraid of injection.

Doctor: Why? You are behaving like a child. It’s not painful.

Patient: All right. Hum hum. I’ll bear the pain doctor.

5. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 80−100 words each.

i. Based on your understanding of the play, explain how a mistaken understanding of events can
lead to confusion. How has the author used this unexpected combination of events in the situation
to create humour?

A few patients are sitting in the waiting room of dentist’s clinic and two or three are joining. Among
them one lady is interested in showing her holiday photos to other patients. The dentist arrives and
calls Joe the first patient into his room. The nurse comes out, goes into another room and brings a
hammer. The patients hear the noise of hammering from the .room. The nurse comes out goes into
another and bring a pair of pliers. One more time she brings a hacksaw. The patients hear the noise
of sawing. Joe’s wife is scared and she begins to weep. The other patients are all terrified and go out
in hurry. But Joe comes out and tells his wife that the doctor has missed the key to his tools cabinet
and he has been trying open cabin with the hammer, pliers and hacksaw. Thus the play is full of
humour.

ii. Have you ever found yourself in such a situation? Discuss in groups and act out such a situation.

(I go to a doctor for a check-up)

I : Good morning, doctor. *

Doctor: Good morning young boy, please sit down. I will check you up thoroughly.

(I sit down in a chair. The doctor winds some bag-like rubber material around the upper part of my
left arm. The material is connected to some kind of meter and to an air-blower. The doctor blows air
into bag around my arm)

I : Doctor. Please stop. I feel some pain. This bag begins to swell. I am afraid you’ll blow out my arm.
Doctor: (laughing). Don’t worry, I am not going to blow out your arm. The air will show your B.P
that’s all.

(Then Doctor asks me to go into another room marked clinical Laboratory)

Young man in the room: Good morning young boy. Lie down on this bench.

I : Good morning. Thank you.

(I lie down on the bench. The young man takes 3 or 4 tubes and puts them on my chest and they
stick to my body. The tubes are connected to a box. The young man takes a long wire from the box
and connects it to a plug on the main switchboard)

Young man: Are you reliving comfortable?

(I pull out the wires get up and run out of the room. I hit against the doctor who is coming to the
room. The doctor stops me)

Doc : Aye, boy, what are you doing? Why are you running away?.

I : Doctor, I am terribly afraid. That young man is going to pass electricity through my body. Then I
will die, You Know. So, I want to save my life.

Doctor: Foolish boy! The technician is not going to pass electricity to your body. With all the wires
and the equipment, he is going to take ECG.

I : Sorry doctor, I don’t know anything about ECG and all.

Doctor: Go into the room and he will take ECG.

I : I trust you. Thank you doctor.

3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) And ‘tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes…

a. What is the poet’s faith?

The poet’s faith is that the beautiful flowers enjoy every ounce of the air they breathe.

b. What trait of Nature do we see here?

We see the beautiful work of nature through this poem.

(ii) And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there…

a. What did the poet notice about the twigs?

The poet noticed that the twigs expand to catch the breezy air.

b. What was the poet’s thought about then?

The poet thinks that the twigs or the new born branches enjoy the breeze and there is pleasure
hidden there.
(iii) If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan.

a. What does ‘heaven’ refer to?

Heaven refers to the place of God.

b. Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?

Nature is God’s work from heaven. So the poet calls it ‘holy’.

4. Explain the following lines with reference to the context in about four to five sentences each.

i. In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.

Explanation : The poet sits reclined in a beautiful grove, surrounded by the mixed sounds of nature.
He thinks of the sad thoughts brought along with the pleasant memories.

Comment : He describes the bitterest sweet moment that reminds him of the humans ’ miseries.

ii. The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,

Their thoughts I cannot measure.

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.

Explanation : The poet describes the joy of birds here. They sang, hopped and played around the
poet. Though the poet doesn’t understand the language and ways of the birds, he recognizes their
movements are out of sheer pleasure and joy.

Comment : William Wordsworth praises the beauty of nature.

iii. Have I not reason to lament

What Man has made of Man?

Context : The given lines are from the poem “Lines written in Early Spring” written by ‘William
Wordsworth’.
Explanation : These are the concluding lines of the poem. Nature is full of beauties and sweetness
and calmness. But men do not enjoy the beauty, but destroy nature. Men also fight against one
another and all become unhappy.

Comment : The poet becomes sad to think of what man has made of man.

5. A. Read the following sets of lines and identify the figures of speech used in each extract.

1. To her works did Nature link - Personification

2. The human soul that through me ran…

3. And ‘tis my faith that every flower… - Personification

4. What Man has made of Man? -Aphorism

B. Read the poem once again. Identify the rhyme scheme and pick out the rhyming pairs of words.

Stanza No : Rhyming Scheme : Rhyming words

Stanza 1 : abab : notes - thoughts; , reclined – mind

Stanza 2 : abab : link - think; , ran - man

Stanza 3 : abab : bower - flower; , wreaths - breathes

Stanza 4 : abab : play’d - made ; , measure - pleasure

Stanza 5 : abab : fan - can; , air - there

Stanza 6 : abab : sent - lament; , plan - man

6. Based on your reading of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two each.

a. How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?

The poet feels sad thoughts while enjoying the beauty of Nature.

b Does Nature affect a person’s thoughts and feelings? Explain.

Yes, the soul of every human is connected to Nature. Hence Nature affects a person’s thoughts and
feelings.

c. How do people bring grief and sorrow to one another?

People separate themselves from Nature. Thus they bring grief and sorrow to one another.
d. Why does the poet think that the birds were happy?

The poet sees that the birds hop and play. Hence he thinks that the birds were happy.

e. The poet finds joy in various objects of Nature. Explain.

On seeing the twigs the poet finds that they enjoy the breezy air. He thinks that there is pleasure in
realizing Nature.

f. Bring out the poet’s thoughts, while comparing Nature with human behaviour.

It is realized by the poet that the nature is a beautiful holy plan of God. Nature is linked to all the
souls of human beings. But men have separated themselves from Nature. They have failed to realize
the pleasure of Nature.

7. Complete the following sentences by choosing the best options.

a. The poet experiences sadness because he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature.

i. the blended notes are jarring

ii. Nature is filled with negativity

iii. he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature

iv. natural calamities occur frequently

b. The poem is set in a grove.

i) city ii) village

iii) grove iv) park

c. The poem speaks of Man’s fear of Nature.

i. Man’s plan to shape destiny

ii. Man seeking pleasure and riches

iii. Man indulging in wars and acts of destruction

iv. Man’s fear of Nature

8. Answer in a paragraph of about 100−150 words.

Do you think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because he has lost his link with nature
and forgotten how to enjoy nature or because man is cruel to other men?

I think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because man is cruel to other men. The poet feels
sad about the relationship between man and man. Nature is linked to all the souls of human beings.
The poet feels sad thoughts while enjoying the beauty of nature. Nature is a beautiful Holy plan of
God. But men have separated themselves from Nature. So they have failed to realize the pleasure of
Nature. Men do not enjoy the beauty. They destroy the Nature. Men also fight against one another
and all become unhappy. But the poet feels sad to think of ‘what man has made of man’. Nature is
very significant. It gives us oxygen and keep the air cool. So we must save Nature. Man is cruel on
buying plots, cutting the trees and building houses. So we can save Nature and protect our
environment. Man is always busy in worldly business. So there is no sufficient time to enjoy the
Nature.

Some phrases have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing
words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.

To Autumn

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my Shady roof, there thou may’st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my Fresh pipe;

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

“The narrow bud opens her beauties to

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;

Blossoms hang round the brows of morning, and

Flourish down the bright check of modest eve,

Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,

And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.

The spirits of the air live on the smells

Of fruit; and joy, with pinions light, roves round

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.”

Thus sang the jolly autumn as he sat,

Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.
- William Blake

10. Speaking Activity

a. What scene in nature gives you pleasure? Talk for a minute describing a natural scene that
gave you a lot of joy. What did you see, hear, smell or feel that gave you joy?

Hi, I am Rajesh. I share with you my happiness of enjoying the natural scenes in my village. Every
morning I get up around 5’o clock and enjoy the chirping of tens of birds. Then my friends and 1 go to
a lake nearby and swim and chase one another in a happy mood.

There are a few small mountains and when the sun rises above them we are thrilled to bathe in sun
light. At nights we leave our village and go to the fields and play kabadi in moon light. The grazing
cattle is a beautiful sight. Thus I feel Nature and human life are strongly linked.

b. Work in groups of 4−6. Discuss how you would preserve the environment and protect
Nature. One or two representatives may share their ideas with the class.

Representative l

Trees are very important. They give us oxygen and keep the air cool. So, we must avoid cutting trees.
Most people buy plots, cut the trees and build houses. Multistoreyed flats are, better than individual
houses, because we save trees.

Representative 2

Rain water harvesting is a new concept (idea).The government is encouraging the project. Every
family should find out the methods of rain water harvesting and follow the methods. Thus we can
save water and protect our environment.

11. Answer the following in a paragraph of 100−150 words each.

a. ‘Nature can nurture’. Describe how this process happens.

Man is a part of Nature. We cannot live without oxygen, and the natural atmosphere gives us oxygen.
Trees and plants absorb carbon-di-oxide and give back oxygen. Water is the absolute necessity for us
- - - for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. We get plenty of water from rains. Rivers and lakes
get the rain water and we use it. The sun is the life-giver and light-giver of the world. There can be no
life on the earth without the sunlight. Animals, birds, plants and trees are all parts of Nature. We get
food from plants & trees in the form of vegetables and fruits. Certain birds and animals are killed,
cooked and eaten by us. Therefore in several ways Nature can nurture us. Moreover natural scenes
give us happiness enjoyment.

b. When humanity fails to live in harmony with Nature, its effects are felt around the world. Why
and how?

We should live in harmony with Nature, but we do not. One example is we cut trees and destroy
forests to build houses or roads. Forests bring us rain. So when forests are destroyed rainfall is
affected.

Another thing: Water, in its natural form, is clean. But we pollute water by bathing in the rivers and
lakes. In many villages people bathe their cattle in the river or lake. This causes water pollution.

Air pollution is another problem. A lot of factories furnaces and automobiles produce harmful smoke
and pollute the air. As a result of all these activities, We experience heavy rains in some places and
very little rain in other places.

As we do not live in harmony with nature we have to suffer hardships.

c. Write a letter to the Councillor of your Ward, explaining why a park is necessary in your locality.

5th July 2018

From

XXX,

YYY, ZZZ.

To

The Councillor,

WardNo.98,

Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

Sir / Madam,

Sub: Requisition for a park - Reg.

I, XXX, as a resident of ward 98, hereby write to you on behalf of the residents of ward no.98, The
intention of this letter is to request you to set up a park in our locality. Nowadays parks are
everywhere and in almost all the localities. Parks have become indispensable necessities. Pollution
and other threatening environment measures have contributed to the deterioration of human
health. The old people of our ward have no place to sit comfortably and peacefully and the young
children have no place to play happily. Besides, the construction of the park will be environmentally
wholesome for the people of our locality. It will make the whole locality beautiful. The trees and
plants will make the whole locality free from pollution.
Therefore I request you to construct a park in our area. We shall be grateful to you if you kindly do
the needful.

I thank you,

Yours truly,

XXX.

Paragraph - Easy points:

• In this poem Wordsworth describes a bitter sweet moment.

• He reclines in a beautiful grove surrounded by the "blended notes" of nature,

• He could associate himself with nature.

• He looks more closely at the jubilant birds, plants, and other creatures of nature.

• He feels that it is only the irresponsible act of human beings that brings sorrow to all.

• Thus he has a good reason to be sad about “what man has made of man”